"Well I had been thinking about it since you mentioned naming them the first time. Also, with my doctoral thesis being about creation myths across the world I have so many divine names floating around my head even my bearded dragons name is Oberon. I could tell you what your name means if I knew it like I know that Ranulf means red wolf, it fits by the way." She just shook her head ruefully and held her hand out to shake.
"It has truly been a pleasure. You shouldn't hear from me until your six month satisfaction check-in but if you need me here's my card," she held out a thick velum card with the logo of the bank and Miss Smith over a series of phone numbers and an email. I laughed out loud and waved at her as she walked to the elevator and left me alone with my household for the first time. Nia wrapped an arm around my shoulders and squeezed me tightly, her expression telling me she was probably feeling as bubbly as I was.
"I cannot wait to get some wine and catch up. It's been so long," she winked and I laughed squeezing her back with my free arm.
"Yes, we can't believe how grownup you've gotten since we saw you last," both twins spoke in unison in gravely deep voices that sent shivers up my spine. I turned to them finding them both closer than when the rep was presenting them. I gave them both tight hugs, it almost felt like the story the organization had written was true. They all felt like long time friends reunited. Even that underlying burn of sexual tension felt natural and woven into our dynamic. I dug in the envelope for the licenses and socials handing them out accordingly and watching as they added them to already full wallets. I shook my head at the thoroughness of the organization. It seemed luggage had already been divided up according to the reps recommendation so really it was just time to go.
Soma kissed my cheek before playfully pushing Nia over to the car door and climbing in the back seat. Surya grabbed shot gun and smiled over my head behind me. I felt a strong warm hand take my own and squeeze urging me to turn. Ash was standing close, his eyes looked into mine with intense feelings.
"I missed you so much," they way he said it sold it. I believed him completely and when he leaned in, delicately touching his lips to mine I wasn't scared or disgusted. The touch was soft but I felt it rock through me. His lips were warm and firm and this close he smelled like cinnamon and sunshine. He pulled back too soon, never deepening the contact. Wow.
He kept my hand and led me to my car, well my original car. My ten year old BMW M6 not nearly as eye catching as the new suv. "Would you like me to drive since it's been such a long and taxing day?" actually yes relaxing right now sounded wonderful, I handed over the keys silently. He smiled raised my hand to his lips then opened my door for me. I accepted the galant gesture blushing and feeling happy. Just straight happy without any darkness tainting it. Ash got in the car and adjusted the seat and mirrors for his much taller frame. "Straight home or do we need to stop for groceries? This is probably more people than you usually stock for," this was punctuated by a cheeky smile.
"No I usually just make sure I can serve one, and to be honest I mostly order in," he looked aghast clutching his chest dramatically as he pulled out of the parking structure onto regular streets. He reached over and took my hand again this time slipping his fingers between mine.
"Actually lets order food for when we get home that way we can eat and chat and settle in. I'll get groceries delivered and cook a simple dinner. How's that sound?"
"Like heaven," I said and he smiled, kissing my knuckles again.
"Any food allergies or intense dislikes I should know about?"
"Not really, avocado isn't my favorite but I've heard rumors that it can be made edible in ways besides guacamole." He laughed. I couldn't help feeling wonder at how instantaneously comfortable I felt with him. But I had to ask this even if it broke the spell, "Why did you choose me?" I really hoped it didn't spoil the mood but I was desperate to know.
"Wasn't it the other way around?" he tried to joke it off, I only raised my eyebrows waiting patiently. He sighed' "I saw how secretly panicked you were, how you had this intense, riotous inner struggle that was completely hidden by a charming pleasant facade and I felt that you were just like me. I felt like our souls were vibrating on the same frequency. All the other clients I've seen have been filled with covetousness or lust. And it's usually out there to see, all of it coming across their faces and tones, in their body language. Only hard lessons teach you to hide in plain sight. I knew you had been through the fire, that there is more fire ahead and I want to put it out or burn in it with you." he sighed keeping my hand when I tried to reclaim it, his words causing a tightening in my chest I couldn't even understand entirely.
"Stop. I don't pity you because you went through hell and get tempered, I'm proud. So many blades break under pressure, but not you. I am an expert at blending in and you need me to be a chameleon for you. No other client that might have walked through was ever going to need all that I can offer like you do."
The bands around my chest loosened. I wanted to be upset because at first it seemed that he chose me because I was broken, but then I thought about his words in the context of what Nichelle had said. The products seek a life of purposeful meaning or meaningful purpose. Ash just wanted to be needed for all that he was, not just the shallow requirements most clients had. I could respect that. I even agreed with him. How many other people who fit the economic profile of org clients would truly need to be able to lie with all that they are like their lives depend on it. Probably not many. I lifted our intertwined fingers to my mouth and kissed his knuckles.
"Thank you. You're right that I need that more than anything, especially with you all in my life. So tell me everything that I should know as your long distance girlfriend." the smile he turned my way was beatific but he composed himself quickly.
"Well probably a sight more than you would normally, if we'd had opportunity to shag instead of talking we'd never have gotten to everything. But I don't regret those late nights talking about my years at Oxford then UCLA, or backpacking the Appalachian Trail.
"I'm not much of a ladies man, a little too shy but we were each at the same food truck at the same time everyday, you of course thought I was gorgeous and we naturally just started talking one day. Everything between us was easy it felt like we were always meant to be. I know about your parents and your brother but we don't talk about it much. You know I'm an orphan raised by my fathers mother who was a cantankerous old Korean lady. I grew up in New York but not the city a smaller college town called Utica.
"Hmmm, oh our first date Was a picnic lunch in the Azalea Garden behind the Art Museum. Next we went to watch a regatta because one of your students was competing. You took me to the zoo and our first kiss was on the balloon. With the whole city behind us. We've been on the Fairmount park mansion tour. Been to the Arden theater so many times I got you season tickets last Christmas, I can't think of anything else right now but it'll come to me if it's important," he smiled and I felt tears well up in my eyes. The picture he painted was so perfect and so much everything I liked. It was beautiful.
"God how I wish all that were true," I wiped the tears from my cheeks.
"Hey there now, no reason for tears. That whole story is entirely true. We will do everything I mentioned and more. The organization only got the dates wrong. Ours is a story written in the stars. We're forever. Remember, I belong to you, and now you belong to me back," I smiled and he went back to paying attention to the road. I pulled out my cell, added the customer service number as my number 6 speed dial and ordered some chinese food to meet us at the house. Ash and I discussed potential meals he would prepare and we got some groceries to be delivered later. My stove was going to see more action in the next few days than it had in the last few months. Come to think of it so would I. The thought caused a blush to rise to my cheeks, Ash just smiled at me and turned the radio on low so we could still talk.